Growing skepticism in Helmand

The unrelenting Taliban insurgency has had a particular strong impact in the southern province of Helmand, and as a result many humanitarian organizations have stayed out of the area due to security concerns, IRIN reported Monday.

The lack of development efforts in Helmand has undermined prior progress and contributed to growing skepticism.

“We have more bloodshed, more poverty and more grievances than during the Taliban's time,” Haji Agha, a resident of Lashkargah, the provincial capital, told IRIN.

Trust in the Afghan government’s ability to respond to public needs is decreasing, schools are closing down, and unemployment rates are rising. The growing sense of neglect in Helmand makes the province an attractive breeding ground for the Taliban to acquire new recruits and sympathizers.

IRIN also refers to a report by the Senlis Council released on March 19 that said: “Afghans increasingly believe that the international community is losing Afghanistan to the Taliban.”

Consequently, new development strategies would be beneficial for promoting faith in the government and safeguarding against further support for the Taliban.

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